Some of the challenges – which the Meeks estimate cost only £500 to complete – happened on days out from the family's home in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, at weekends; others during trips to Northumberland, Scotland, Pembrokeshire, and the South West of England.

And they weren't all action-adventure - one involved making a meal for their mum on Mother's Day.

Ella said: "Our friends spend a lot of their free time watching telly or playing on computer games in their bedrooms, luckily we've had the chance to do something different."

Dad Tim, 44, a teacher at a special needs school, said: "We're just normal, everyday people and not adventurous ourselves, but as we saw our kids growing up, we became more reflective as parents and wanted them to grow up with balance in their lives.

"I think kids these days spend more time indoors than we did. They may do a lot of activities, but they don't necessarily have freedom to express themselves or explore freely.

"They are protected from risks which makes them very safe, but it makes them unable to take or to manage risks themselves.

"Of course, we always want Ella and Amy to do things safely, but in most of the challenges there's an element of something could happen, they could graze themselves or trap a finger, say.

"Now, if they fall over they tend to shrug it off. Our girls have taken on a role as ambassadors for adventure."

Mum Kerry, 39, a primary school teacher, added: "It's just about giving things a go and trying things out.

"My favourite activity was bivvy bagging [where a waterproof cover is put over a sleeping bag so you can sleep outdoors without a tent] as we got to sleep under the stars and saw a meteor shower on a beach on the Norfolk coast.

"I didn't like the idea at all at first but it was incredible. You wouldn't have witnessed that in a tent and we saw it together as a family."

The family have documented their incredible year on their website Do Try This at Home. If you fancy inspiring your kids to give up TV for a a year, too, here are the Meeks' 100 Outdoor Challenges.

1. Slacklining (walking on a rope between two trees)2. Scooter Safari3. Caving4. Spend the night in a hammock5. Canoe down a river6. Adventure led by the girls7. Sleep in a wood8. Watch rutting deer9. Learn survival skills10. Sleep on a beach11. Forage for a meal12. Support a cause (Comic Relief)13. Snorkelling14. Go for a reptile ramble15. Find a private beach16. Climb the Eiffel Tower17. Kayak Safari18. Camp in a city19. Swim in a natural pool20. Sleep in a cahutte21. Coasteering22. Orienteering race23. Outdoor birthday party24. Walk on high ropes25. Make a rope swing26. Sleep in a Bivvy-Bag27. See a henge from sunset to sunrise28. Sleep in a family-size sleeping bag29. Kayaking30. Community work31. Climb and abseil32. Sailing33. Walk a peninsula34. See a puffin35. Watch wild seals36. Play conkers37. Go off-road hiking38. Sleep in a shelter39. Climb an epic summit40. Camper-vanning41. Cook and eat in the wild42. Wake and run43. Bivvy by a river44. Tag team cycle trail45. Learn a constellation46. Whittle (carve) while you walk47. Sub-zero camping48. Snow walking49. Floodlit swan feed50. Discover local history51. Find a summit52. Go without electricity for 24 hours53. Weaseling (climbing between gaps in rocks)54. Night-time descent55. Eat nettle soup56. Enter a race57. Explore rock pools58. Cook on a beach59. Dam a stream60. Explore a cave61. Explore a wreck62. Find a waterfall63. Take on the elements64. Body-boarding65. Wild river swim66. Mountain biking67. Going to the toilet outside68. Go behind a waterfall69. Coastal walk70. Music festival71. Visit a landmark72. Walk to a tidal island73. Sleep in an eco-tent74. Spot red squirrels75. Climb a 'matterhorn'76. Walk down a river77. Geocaching (GPRS treasure hunting)78. Clean a beach79. Scramble80. Walk around a city81. Orienteering82. Night-time wood walk83. Snow hiking84. Cook with snow85. Visit a suspension bridge86. Three peaks in three day87. Climb a winter summit88. Ghyll scrambling (walking through gorges)89. Make meal for mum on Mother's Day90. Play in snowdrifts91. Backpacking92. Tracking and mapping93. Visit London94. Build a bridge95. Crabbing96. Night walk in a forest97. Off-peak camping98. Skiing99. Climb indoors100.Tentsile (hammock-like tent)